Frame for self-propelled vehicles.



No. 781,990. PATENTED FEB. 7.1905. A. A. BALL, JR- FRAME FOR SELF PROPELLED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00114. 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m m b witnesses.

FRAME FOR SELF PROPBLLED VEHIGLBS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 14. 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lnOehbo o ugusbus Ebal I Jr; BY

. I oqbdy (.Uibn'esses PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

A. A.IBALL, JR. FOR SELF PROPELLED VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED 0OT.1-1. 1903.

FRAME lllHl Indenbor; usJ BaHJr; a

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No. 781,990; PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905.

A. A. BALL, JE-

FRAME FOR SELF PROPBLLBD VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.14. 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEBT 4.

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} InOentoroqugustus oqbal l \Jr? I Oqttly PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

A. A. BALL, JR. FRAME FOR SELF PROPELLBD VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED Q0114. 1903;

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UNITED STATES Patented February '7, 1905. PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS A. BALL, JR, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To GENERAL LEUTRIG COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FRAME FO R SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,990, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed October 14, 1903. Serial No. 177,047.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS A. BALL, Jr. a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful [mproveinents in Frames for Self-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an underframe for self-propelled vehicles. It object is to provide a simple and flexible structure in which separate frames are arranged intermediate the axles and body to rigidly maintain the proper relation between them. The frames are each pivotally hung from thevehicle-body and are rigidly attached to the axles, which latter themselves are movably connected with their arches or other body-supports. In this arrangement the frames have free movement with the body as it rises and falls with respect to the wheels, and at the same time they securely brace the axles.

In the preferred construction of the rear frame for the hind axle the strutting member thereof comprises the motor, which is the source of mechanical power' for propelling the vehicle.

The manner of suspension of the motor, its connection with the rear axle, and also the protective and oil-containing casing therefor. are novel and essential features of the invention which will be more fully described hereinafter and finally set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved vehicle with parts thereof broken away for more clearly illustrating the details; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the running-gear. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a front view and'a rear view of the running-gear. Figs.'5 and 6 are details of the hanging and flexible suspending means by which the separate frames are connected with the body. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of the scribed.

8. Fig. 10 is a similar section on line 10 10, Fig. 7, drawn on a l-enlarged scale. Fig. 11 is a fragmentarydetailview of the differential spur. Fig. 12is a partial View of ajmodi- Referring to the drawings,.1 represents a vehicle-body; 2, a body-frame, preferably of angle-iron; 3, bodysupporting springsa i, a

and 8, respectively, front and rear axle arches, and 9 the road-wheels of the vehicle. -The body 1 has afour-spring suspension of the usual arrangement of twosprings at front and rear. idlyv on the arches by being bolted to blocks or seats 10, which are brazed or otherwise rigidly attachedto the axle-arches.

The frontsteering-wheels are mounted on knuckled spindles which are connected to an front axle; 5, a center divided rear axle; 7

operating-lever 11 through an intermediate mechanism 12. The rear 01' .driving wheels are mounted on a twopart axlewhich receives power by means offa'fsuitable differentialgear..

The axles are strutted and braced from a 7 central point on the vehicle-body, or prefer ably the body-frame. The manner of connecting the axles with the point of bracing on the body-frame is such as to afford ample flexibility for permitting the rise and fall of the vehicle body relatively to the axles, so as to prevent destructive racking and distorting strains as the wheels pass over inequalities in the roadway.

Asshown in Fig. 2, the axles 4 and 5 are each connected by separate frames. with a hanger 13 in a manner to be hereinafter de- The front triangular frame comprises a central strut 14, on which is supported the steering mechanism 12, which is movable therewith, diagonal brace-rods '15, and the front axle 4. The central strut is supported at its front end on an upright post 16, Fig. 3, rigid on the front axle 4. Passing through the post 16 is a bolt 17 that screws into the end of the strut 14, and thereby forms a rigid connection with the axle. The diagonal bracesleeve 23, which carries at its lower end a bearing ring or box 24. This bearing-ring serves as a pivotal center about which the front triangular frame as a whole moves vertically, and it is arranged with its axis. or

center line parallel to the front axle; The head '19 of the strut '14 of the front triangular frame -is pivoted in the bearing-ring to .providefor pivotal movement. An elongated opening 25 is provided in the bearing-ring, through which the rear end of the strut passes and screws into they head. By means of this arrangement the front frame is permitted to rise and .fall in unison with the body. In order that one front wheel may rise or fall irrespectively of the'other, or, in other words, that .the front axle may tilt, the front frame as an entirety turns or tilts about the rear end of the central horizontal strut. This tilting movement is permitted by means of the threaded end of thestrut 14 turning freely in the hea 19. The head tapers toward its end, Figs. 5 and 13, for affording a slightplay in the hanger toallow' for side lunges of the vehicle-body on the springs without causing undue strains-upon the hanger. The hanger is rigidly heldin positipn by tie-rods 26. These tie-rods are bolted at their upper ends to the side bars of the body-frame and are bolted at their lower ends to the bottom of the bearing-ring, as clearly shown. in Figs. 1, 3, and 5.

The rear triangular frame com-prises a centralstrut member27, (whichin the present case is shown to be a motor, such as a steamengine,) diagonal brace-rods 28, and the rear axle 5. The motor'is connected with the rear axlethrough'an intervening power-transmitting mechanism, such as gearing, which will be hereinafter explained. The brace-rods 28 maybe attached at their front ends to themetor or to the motor support or hangen and at their rear ends they may be rigidly bolted to the rear axle. This rear triangular frame is flexibly .supported by the body;frame,"so as to It comprises a take up shocks and jars incident to travel .-without producing" strains. -Theconnection with the hanger is preferably a ball-and-socket' arrangement. A ball 294s formed on or secured to the central strut member of the rear frame, which is mounted in a socket 30. This socket member also'affords means for removably'attaching the rear frame to the hanger.

boss 33, when the nut is unscrewed frojmlthe boss and run back on the pin, as will be clearly understood by an inspection of 6. I do not'wish to limit the scope of my im vention to a construction employingailsteam engine, since any approved m'otive-powersys s tern may be employed, as a'strut member, in connection with my imprgvcdjfrayne, yitlieut affecting the principles of constru ction- In some cases it may be preferablefto employ a bar for the central strut member and dispense with theengine, as serving th e' f'unction of a strut. For securely bracing the socket member its upper portion is connected withatie rod 3.4, which is bolted at ends in anarched cross-bar 35, Figs. 2 and'4. The pivotal centers of thetriangular frames are above the plane of the axles, as shown in, Fig. 1, so that the frames inclinetoward each other. As the .vehicle body rises andfa lls the angle of inclination ofithe frames varies, and as the frames "are rigid with the axles it is necessaryto support them'in; such a manner as to permit movement with theframes. For

this purpose the axles] are pivoted'onth'eir arches. The axle-arches 7 and-8are each provided with pivot-lugs 36 at their ends, and thev axles 4 and 5 are each provided withjsockets 37, into which the lugs 36 of;the re spec,ti ve arches extend, Figs. 3 and 4. By means of this arrangement the axles are capable .of'a' limited oscillatory movement as the body rises. v

neeted. This feature permits of the members.

being readily assembled when setting upthe frame or removed for the purpose of adjusting the motive parts or for replacing any members in case wear or other injury should demand duplication thereof. Each half of the rear axle can be independently removed from the triangular frame and also the central strut member. In other words, the engine and its supporting means 'can be removed without disturbing the parts of the rear axle. While the. members are thus removable, they are suitably proportioned and rigidly connected, so that the frame as a whole is of a substantial character.

The rear axle 5 comprises divided live shafts or axles 38, sleeves 39 therefor, and a differential yoke 40, connecting the sleeves. The differential yoke, Fig. 10, is constructed of side plates 41 and top and. bottom plates 42. The side plates are provided with bosses 43, in which the inner ends of the sleeves 39 are brazed. The plates of the yoke are bolted together, preferably by means of integrallythreaded lugs 44 on the top and bottom plates, which project through openings 45 in the ends of the side plates, and nuts 46, which screw on the lugs, hold the side plates in rigid engagement with the intermediate top and bottom plates.

The live axles 38 are mounted in the sleeves on ball-bearings. The inner ends of the live axles are provided with annular flanges 47, which form shoulders against which the hubs of 'bevel gear-wheels 48 abut. The wheels 48 are keyed to the live axles and are held rigidly thereon between the annular flanges and bearing-cone 49, which latter are tight on the liveaxles. In order to assemble the axles 38 in the sleeves, it is necessary to insert them from the differential yoke ends. A bearing-cup 49 is seated "in each side plate of the differential yoke, forming the raceway for antifrictionballs 50. The outer and bearings for the live axles are housed in enlarged cup-shaped portions of the socket-fittings 37, Fig. 4, each of which comprises an adjustable cone-andcucfi ball-bearing of usual construction, andaccor ingly the details thereof are not shown. The road-wheel may be keyed to the live axles in any desired manner. The bearings at each end of the live axles are adjusted by means of the adjustable cones of the outer bearings. As the axle-sleeves are separable from each other and detachable also from the supporting-arch, the live axles can be readily inserted into or removed therefrom. The bearings can therefore be adjusted before putting the rear triangular frame together. -By this construction each axle-sleeve, its side plate, the half of the live axle contained. in the sleeve, the bevel gear-wheel on the end of the live axle, and the attached road-wheel may be regarded as a separable unit that forms part of the rear triangular frame. Thus the rear triangular frame consists, in general terms, of two dean engine and its supporting means. The estachable units forming the complete rear-axle structure, and the engine and its supporting means comprise a third detachable unit.

In the modification of the rear-axle structure, Fig. 12, the side plates of the yoke and the sockets at the outer ends of the axlesleeves are provided with eye-lugs 51 and 52, respectively, and brace-rods 53, one at each half of the axle, which extends between a socket and side plate, and its ends, which are screw-threaded, pass through the eye-lugs, where nuts 54, screwing on the ends and drawing up against the lugs, hold the parts stiffly together, and thereby strutted. Each half of the axle structure is thus rendered more rigid and is still separable from the axle-arch, as in the construction hereinbefore described.

The central strut of the rear triangular frame, as hereinbefore referred to, consists of 5 sential feature in this connection is the means of connecting the rear portion of the central strut member with the rear-axle structure. For this purpose supporting-rods 55 are provided, the front ends of which are attached to the cylinders 560i the engine and the rear ends to the differential yoke. The rods 55 support part of the motive elements of the engine and the pinion for driving the differential gear. They are preferably four in number and arranged in parallel relation. Their rear ends pass through the side plates of the differential yoke and are rigidly secured therein by threaded nuts 57'. Shoulders 58 are formed on the rods, and by means of the nuts I00 57 the rods are held in place, with their shoulders abutting solidly upon the front surfaces of the side plates, Fig. 7.

Thegearing and engine are inclosed and protected in an oil-containing casing, and the i 5 wearing parts of the operating mechanism are lubricated by the lubricant splashing on the same. The casing is constructed with the object in view of having the parts so organized as to permit of ready assembling or removal 1 and having the joints of the parts in oil-tight contact. In this connection the front and rear surfaces of the plates 41 and 42 of the differential yoke are flush and carefully finished for the purpose of obtaining close-fitting relation I 5 with the gear-casing, Figs. 7. l4, and- 15. The rear section of the casing is a detachable cap 59, which is provided with a circumferential flange 60, fitting the rear surface of the yoke. A frame '61, rectangular in shape to corre- I20 spend with the yoke, is arranged around the cap 59 and overlies the flange 60, Figs. 4 and 7. This frame serves to reinforce the flange. as well asto insure a uniform contact thereof with the yoke. The frame and cap are secured I 5 to the yoke by screws 62, which pass through registering openings in the frame and cap and screw into the plates of the yoke, Figs. 4, 7 and 14.

The main or front part of the casing-com- 3 prises an engine-section 63 and a gear-section 64, forminga single rigid structure. The gear-section is rectangular at its rear end where it is presented to the yoke, and in its vertical dimension it contracts toward the front' end, where it connects with the enginesection in general conformity to the shape of the gearing contained therein. The upper and lower edges of the rear end are turned outwardly toform exterior flanges .65, and

the side edges are turned inwardly to form interior flanges 66, Figs. 8, 14, and 15. These flanges fit against the front surface of the yoke and are overlaid and held in close contact with said surface by reinforcing-plates 67 and 68. The exterior plates 67 secure the flanges 65 in place by means of screws 69,-

which are easily accessible from points over and under the engine-section of the casing,

whereas the interior plates 68 and flanges 66' ders 72. The casing in its entirety is preferably made of sheet metal, and the shoulders comprise segmental pieces 7 3, which are connected to the elliptical wall of the engine-section and side walls of the gear-section, Figs. 14 and 15. These segments are soldered at their edges to said sections and are strength ened by soldering and riveting angle-pieces 7 4 thereto. For. convenience of access to the working parts of the'engine the engine-section is open at its upper half by being cut away through a portion of its length between the ends, and a removable flexible sheet 75 extends over this open portion. The front end of the engine-section is provided with a wall 76, which closes the same and prevents the lubricant from slushing out of the casing.

This wall stiffens the front end of theenginesection and prevents the tendency of the easing to'collapse. The flexible sheet extends entirelyaround the engine-section, withits ends supported by overlapping the open or cut-away portion, and is retained between circumferential beads 7 6', pressed out inthe en-' 78 at the cut-away portion of ,theengi-nesec-' tien, Figs. 9, 14, and '16. Strips .of ,felt 79 or other packing are inserted between the overhanging stripsand edges78 of'the openingto prevent the lubricant from splashing or creeping through the joints. The object of the overhanging strips is-to turn the lubricant away from the joints as it runs down the inner surface of the sheet or covering to prevent. the lubricant .from 'leakingout. ends of the flexible sheet or covering are The turned into flanges 80,- which meetfin abutting relation under the casing, where they are secured togetherby plates 8l-and bolts 82.

-. The engine-section maycalsoiiuclosethe ,cyl.

inders of the engine, andin the .present case the structure illustrated discloses this feature. This structure comprises a head 83, which covers the front end of the cylinders'56 of theengine, (shown in Fig. 17- and in dotted outline in Figs. 14 and 16,) and the head is supportedby brackets 85, rigid on the head and secured on the front ends of the supportingrods 55 for the parts of the engine. The head is provided with a circumferential flange 86, formed with a bead 87, and around the cylinders and between this bead 87 and the bead- 7 6' at the front end of the engine-section a flexible sheet-metal covering 88 isattached.

This covering is preferably made of two pieces to enable the same to be opened when desired without disconnecting adjacent parts of .the vehicle-frame. the diagonal brace-rods 28 of the rear triangular frame are attached to the cylinders by means of bolts-89, which extend through the covering 88; and therefore in order to have the engine accessible it-is made of two de- More particularly stated,

tachably-connected pieces,-the ends of which are connected midway between the position of the bolts 89 at the top and bottom. In this way the coveringcan be readily opened without disconnecting the brace-rods and bolts.

The upper-edges of the two pieces areconnected by interposed eyes 90, formed at the edges and disposed interiorly to be concealed from view, and apin 91, interlocked with the eyes, Figs. 8 and 14. The lower edges of the pieces are connected by bolts in the same manner as the covering extending around the open portion of the engine-section.

The head 83 is provided with a tubular ex-' IIO the front part of the casing is also held in fixed relation with the engine structure. The entire casing thus moves with the engine and with the differential yoke, with which it is also in fixed relation. The wall is also proready accessibility to moving parts by reason bevel gear-wheels 48 of the differential gear, I Fig. 10, are formed'with annular flanges 96,

' The web portion is bolted to an "internal flange parent by inspection of Fig. 10.

of operation of my invention, together with vided with openings 94. for the piston-rods of the engine and for the valve.- stems, while openings receive the reversing and other operating mechanism. Accordingly it will be observed that the parts of the casing are arranged in a manner to afford ready access to the internal parts of the motive 'mechanism and a perfectly oil-tight structure is obtained of a symmetrical and attractive form.

The differential gear is of special design and is particularly-useful in connection with the present construction of-rear axle. The

which are adapted to abutand frictionally'engage with each other. As the side plates of theaxle-yoke are drawn up in place by the bolts the bevel gear-wheels, which are rigid on their live axles, are caused'to bind between the flanges 96, so as to restrict to a certain extent the individualmovment of the wheels when acting differentially. This stiffness between the bevel gear-wheels, and consequntly between the live axles with the road-wheels, tends to prevent skiddings of the wheels.

The outer surfaces of the annular flanges 96 are turned .down true and afford a bearing upon which the spur-gear 91 is mounted. The preferred form of spur-gear consists of a toothed cylinder 98 and a web portion 99.

100 on the cylinder, Figs. 1 and 11. On the web portion of the spur-gear the pinions 101 are journaled, and these mesh with the bevel gear wheels in the usual manner. The spur-gear. is easily taken from its position after either half of the rear axle is disconnected, as is ap- It willibe' notd that the main object which I have attained by the present construction of the rear triangular frame is a strong and rigid'structu're tostand the wear and tear of road travel and also one which permits of of the members ofthe frame being detachably connected.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutesl have described the principle the apparatus which now consider to be the best embodiment thereof; butl desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means What I claim as new, and desire-to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a vehicle, the combination of abody, a pair of-axles, a frame rigidly attached to each of the axles, pivotal connections between 1 eachfram'e and the body, and pivotally-supported arches between the axles andthe body which permit each of the frames to oscillate with its respective axle.

2. In a vehicle, the combination of a body, l

which are pivotally secured to the body and are attached to the axles, and pivotally-supported arches between the axles and the body which permit each of the frames to oscillate with its respective axle.

, 3. In a' vehicle, the combination of a front and a rear axle, a body, springs intermediate the body and axles, separate frames each rigidly attached to an axle and 'pivotally connected with the bod y, and pivotally-su pported arches between the axles and the body which permit each of-the frames to oscillate with its respective axle. p I

4. In a vehicle, the combination of front and rear axles, a body, springs therefor, front and rear'fral'nes rigidly secured respectively to the front and rear axles, separate pivotal connections between the frames and the body, and pivotally-supported arches between the front and rear axles, non-overlapping frames 5 axlesand the body which permit each of the 5 frames to oscillate with its respective axle.

5. In a vehicle, the" combination of front and rear axles, a body, springs therefor, atriangular frame rigidly attached to each axle,

ported .by the body independently of each other, and pivotally-supported arches between the axles and "the body which permit each of the frames tooscillate with its respective axle.

the frames haying their apices pivotally sup- 9 :6. In a vehicle, the combination of front '95 and rear axles, arches therefor, pivotal connections between the axles and their respective arches, a, body, springs intermediate the axles and body, and a frame rigidly attached to each axle; v

7. In a vehicle,'the combination of an axle, an arch therefor, and sockets. and pivots between the arch'and the axle which pcrmit'of relative oscillatory movement.

8. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle, an arch therefor, and a pivotal connection bctween the axle and arch which permits of relative oscillatory movement.

9. ln a vehicle, the combination of a bod y, an axle, an arch therefor, a pivotal comiection between the axle and arch which permits the former to oscillate, and body supporting springs which are rigidly attached to the arch.

10. In avehicle, the combination of a body, an axle, an arch therefor, a pivotal conncctirm between the axle and arch which permits the former to oscillate, and spring-seats rigidon the arch.

11. In a vehicle, the combination of a body, an axle, an arch therefor, pivotal connections between the axle and arch, a frame attached to I I -39 rigidlysecured'to the arches. frontra nected with the body,asteering-lever mounted on the body, and a steering mechanism operalever and assembled,

tively connected with the on the frame. V 5 13. Inavehicle, thecombination ofaspringsupported body, an axle, an arch therefor, piv otal'connections between the axle and arch, a frame attached to the axle, a hanger on the body, and a head on .the frame pivotally t mounted in the hanger.

14:. 'In avehicle, the combination of aspring- "supported body, an axle, an arch therefor, piv- 7 otal connections between the axle and arch, a

a 1. frame attached'to the axle, a hanger on the 1 5 body, a bearing-ring carried thereby, and a A head on the frame pivotallymounted in the bearingring,-the head being tapered to permitof. a limited tilting movement thereof relatively-.tothe bearing-ring. v -1 5. Inavehicle,theicombi stop of front and rear axles,, arches therefor", "a gbody,'bodyupp rt P 2 i-rie' dh7.S cure arches,'fnint. and-Tree .jrame's' rigid respec tively withlgthejfrent'aii ear axles} and'piv 25 otally connected with-th peer -acme ends 'of ;the arches-,iand js k'ets' provided ,on

- the axles engaging-the, pivots-of the arches. 5

16. -In a vehicle, the combinati'on of iii-body,

am and rear arches,body-su.pport ing springs;

axles pivotally attached to the arch .rigidly secured to the axles, said" "comprising a central strut member-a a hanger carried on'thetody. and I .35 pivotal connections between thestru enema bers andhange'r.

I 17. In a vehicle, the combination of a-body, :frontand rear axles, body-supporting springs,

"a postor support arranged on one ofthe axles,

' 4'o..ahanger rigidly secured to-the bodyga central strut pivoted atj attend, to the'I-post or support and at the other end to the hangerhtnd fdiagdnal' brace-rods-extending'from the axle pivotally attached'to its respective arch, a-

central post fixed on, said axle, acentral strut connected with thecentral post, a hanger fixed I and braced on the body, a bearing-ring car- 6 ried by the hanger with itsa'xis disposed par allel to the'axle, and a head onthe centralstrut movably mounted in the bearing-ring. 20. lnavehicle, the combination of a body, body-supporting springs, axles, arches there- 5 for, one of the axles being pivotally connected (1; rear wsneso with its respective arch, a strut member in fixed relation to sald axle, a hnnger depending from the body, and a universal connection fOI', one of the axles being movably attached to its respective arch, a strut member relatively fixed to said axle, a hanger arranged on the body,a'sockt removably carried by the hanger, and a ball arranged on the strut memher and mounted-in-the socket.

22. In a vehicle, the combination of a body, body-supporting springs, axles, arches thereforlone of the axles being pivotally secured to its respective-arch,-a strut member rigidly secured and braced to said axle, a hanger arranged on the body, athreaded boss on the hanger, a socket, a threaded pin thereon,'a nut removablyconnecting the pin and boss,

and a ball provided -'on the strntmember' and engaging in the socket.

-23.- In a vehicle, thecombination of a body,

arear-axle arch, body-supporting springs rigidly'securfd-on the arch, and an axle frame detachably-pivotedboth-to the axle-arch and (2 t. Ina vehicleJthe combination of a body, a rear-axle arch, body-supp'ortingsprin'gs rigidl'v'se'cured on the arch an axle-frame pivoted on-theaarch, the said frame comprising ax e-s ee eafiflifi y e y necting -th' sleeves,- a central strut mem- 1 iiigfliagonalbraces, andapivotal connection between the frame andebody.

' 25. Ina veh-rcle,'the combination of a body,

l o I ,an axle-arch;body-supporting springs, axle- .sleeve'spivotal-ly connected with the ends of. the-axlesarch, a differential yoke. detachably connecting the inner ends of the sleeves, the

,said yoke cofinprisingside plates bolted to top and bottom plates, at central strut member removably secured to the differential yoke, and ,means-pivotally supporting the central strut member on .the body.

26. Ina vehicle, the combination of a body, an axie-arch,body-supporting springs, axle s'leevespivotally connected with the arch, a differential yoke detachably connecting the sleeves, the said yoke comprising side plates rigidon the inn fds of the sleeves and top and. botto'r n I ates bolting the side plates togethenecentral strut member removably connected with the side plates, means pivotally supporting the central strut member to the body, and diagonal brace -rods between the central strut memberand axle-sleeves. 1 v

27. In a:vehicle,,.the combination ofa body, an axle-arch; body-supporting springs, axlesleeves pivotally connected with the axle-arch, a differential yoke detachably connecting the sleeves, the said yoke comprising side plates rigid on the inner ends of the sleeve, and top and bottom plates bolting the sidefplates to-' gether, an engine, supporting-rods therefor,

means removably securing the rear ends of the supporting-rods in the side plates of the yoke, diagonal brace-rods between the engine and axle-sleeves, and a pivotal connection between the engine and body.

28. In a vehicle, the combination of a rearaxle arch, axle-sleeves detachably supported on the arch, a diflerential yoke, the same comprising side plates rigid with the axle-sleeves and suitably bolted together, live axles mounted in the sleeves, and a differential gear, the bevel gear-wheels thereof being rigidly secured on the live axles and held in frictional engagement with each other bv the bolted side plate of the yoke.

29. In a vehicle, the combination of a rear axle arch, axle-sleeves, a differential yoke detachably connecting the sleeves, live axles mounted in the sleeves, adjustable bearingsgetheig'said plates having front and rear surfaces, a' rear casing member, a front easing member, flanges formed on said members, and means removably securing the flanges in oilcontaining contact with the plates of the dif-' ferential yoke. i I

31. In a vehicle, the combination witha differential yoke, comprising side plates, and top and bottom plates bolting the side plates together, said plates having flush front and rear surfaces, of a rear gearcasing member, a front gear-casing member, flanges formed on said members, means removably securing the flanges in oil -.co'ntaining contact with the plates, and an engine-casing comprising removable sections and cooperatingv with said front gear-casing member to form an oil-containing housing for the engine and differential gear. I

axle and gear-yoke, an arch therefor, pivotal connections between the axle and arch, an engine and gear structure in fixed relation to the axle, and a casing inelosing said structure also in fixed relation to the axle.

In a vehicle, the combination of a rear axle and gear-yoke, an engine and gear, an oil-containing casing for the latter, said casing comprising a rear member or cap and a 32. In a vehicle, the combination of a rear front member consisting of a gear-section and an enginesection,and means removably connecting the members with the gear-yoke.

34. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle and gear-yoke, an engine and gear in fixed relation thereto, a rear casing member attached to the yoke, a front casing member comprising an integral gear-section and engine-section, said engine-section being open at its upper portion, a removable covering for the open portion thereof, and means removably connecting said casing members in oil-tight contact with theyoke.

35. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle and gear-yoke, an engine and gear, a rear casing member attached to the yoke, a front casing member comprising a gear-section and engine-section integrally connected, said en'- gine-section being cut away at its upper half, a flexible sheet or covering extending over the cut-away portion, a wall closing the front end of the engine-section, and means removably securing the members to the yoke.

36. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle and gear-yoke, an engine and gear, a rear casing member attached to the yoke, a front casing member comprising a gear-section and engine-section integrally connected, said en' gine-section being cut away at its'upper half, a flexible sheet or covering,extending over the cut-away portion thereof, overhanging strips on the inner surface of the flexible sheet or covering disposed over the edges of the open portion, and means securing the members to the yoke.

37. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle and gear-yoke, an engine and gear, a rear casing member flanged at its edges,'a reinforcing-frame overlying said flanged edges, means removably securing the frame and cap to the yoke,.a front casing member comprising a gear section and engine section integrally connected, means removably attaching the gear-section to the yoke, a cylinder-head member, and removably-conneeted sheets extending around the cylinders. j

38. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination of an axle, a motive-power agency supported by the axle, a fluid-tight casing which ineloses the said agency, a wall which divides the easing into chambers, and a support for the outer end of the casing that is carried by the motivepower agency.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of October, 1903.

AUGUSTUS A. BALL. JR.

I/Vitnesses:

DUGALD MoK. MoKILLor, JOHN J. WALKER. 

